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‘Measuring Happiness?’–A Panel Discussion at the LSE.

Last night saw a transdisciplinary panel of Economists, Neuroscientists, Behavioural Scientists and industry specialists, all debating the possibility and social benefits of measuring happiness and wellbeing.

With discussion ranging from what makes individuals happy, similarity in happiness patterns between the great apes and human beings, and the difference between moment to moment happiness and what we think should make us happy, the dialogue was far reaching and raised many questions regarding wellbeing and the individual, as well as the wider undertaking of measuring the happiness of a nation.

With few certain agreements, the panel were unanimous in distinguishing between a nations’ wellbeing and its GDP meaning that the question of ‘happiness’ is at the fore of political and public concern in our present era of austerity.